Chinese President Jiang Zemin and his Cote d'Ivoire counterpart Laurent Gbagbo on Sunday exchanged congratulatory messages on the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between their countries.
Jiang said in his message that the bilateral ties enjoyed a healthy and steady development throughout the past 20 years.
The two countries exchanged high-level visits, deepened mutual understanding and carried out fruitful cooperation in the fields of politics, economy, trade, culture and education, he said.
China attaches great importance to the bilateral relations and is willing to exert joint efforts with Cote d'Ivoire to strive for new achievements, Jiang added.
In his message, Gbagbo said he is very satisfied with the firm, friendly ties with China and the ever more important cooperation in various fields between the two countries. He also said that he will spare no efforts to strengthen and expand the existing friendly and cooperative relations.
He reiterated that Cote d'Ivoire will stick to its "One China" stand, which is the country's eternal policy.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan also exchanged congratulatory messages with Aboudrahamane Sangare, Cote d'Ivoire Minister of State for External Relations.
(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2003)
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